Inhibition of scube2, a novel vegfr2 co-receptor, suppresses tumor angiogenesis

ABSTRACT

An isolated anti-SCUBE2 (Signal peptide-complement protein Clr/CIs, Uegf: and Bmp 1 (CUB)-epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain-containing protein 2) antibody or a binding fragment thereof is disclosed. The anti-SCUBE2 antibody comprises an antigen binding region that specifically hinds to a target domain located within SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66) and exhibits a property of inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. The target domain is selected from the group consisting of the EGF-like motifs 4 to 6 ranging from a.a. position 175 to 323, or the spacer region ranging from a.a. position 441 to 659, or the first cys-rich motif ranging from a.a. position 668 to 725 of SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66). The anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof is for use in treating a disease associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis, or in treating a tumor or inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell growth in a subject in need thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally anti-angiogenic; therapy, more specifically to anti-SCUBE2 antibodies for anti-angiogenic therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis; it binds to its receptor VEGFR2 (a receptor tyrosine kinase, RTK) on the surface of endothelial cells (ECs) and triggers dimerization and trans-phosphorylation to activate signaling cascades including p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and AKT required for EC migration, proliferation, and tubulogenesis. These VEGF responses can be further promoted by a small number of VEGFR2 co-receptors such as neuropilins, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, CD44, and CD146. However, additional co-receptors for VEGFR2 that regulate VEGF-induced angiogenesis might exist and remain to be discovered.

SCUBE2 is the second member of a small, evolutionarily conserved gene family composed of three different genes (SCUBE1, 2, and 3) originally identified from human ECs. The genes encode ˜1,000-amino acid polypeptides organized in a modular fashion with five protein domains: an NH₂-terminal signal peptide, nine tandem repeats of EGF-like motifs, a spacer region, three cysteine-rich (CR) repeats, and one CUB domain at the COOH terminus. These SCUBEs can tether on the cell surface as peripheral membrane proteins by two distinct membrane-anchoring mechanisms (i.e., electrostatic and lectin-glycan interactions) via its spacer region and the CR repeats, and function as co-receptors for a number of growth factors. Besides being expressed in the normal endothelium, SCUBE2 is also highly expressed in hypoxic tumor microvasculature. However, whether SCUBE2 can act as a co-receptor the VEGFR2 and its role in VEGF-induced angiogenesis remain to be determined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to an isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof, which comprises an antigen binding region that specifically binds to a target domain located within SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66) and exhibits a property of inhibiting VEGF-induced angiogenesis, wherein the target domain is selected from the group consisting of the EGF-like motifs 4 to 6 ranging from a.a. position 175 to 323, or the spacer region ranging from a.a. position 441 to 659, or the first cys-rich motif ranging from a.a. position 668 to 725 of SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66).

In one embodiment, the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention exhibits a property of inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation and capillary tube formation.

In another embodiment, the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention comprises a heavy chain variable domain (V_(H)) and a light chain variable domain (V_(L)), wherein:

(a) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18; or

(b) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; or

(c) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or

(d) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50.

In another embodiment, the V_(H) and V_(L) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody each comprise complementarily determining region (CDR) 1, CDR2, CDR3 as follows:

(i) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or

(ii) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8; or

(iii) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; or

(iv) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56.

In another embodiment, the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention is a monoclonal antibody, is humanized, is a fusion protein, or is selected from the group consisting of a Fv fragment, a fragment antigen-binding (Fab) fragment, a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a Fab′ fragment, a Fd′ fragment, and a Fd fragment, and a single chain antibody variable fragment (scFv).

In another embodiment, the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment of the invention is encapsulated within a liposome.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof of the invention; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.

In one embodiment, the V_(H) and the V_(L) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody in the pharmaceutical composition comprises amino acid sequence as follows: (i) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, or (ii) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In another embodiment, the anti-SCUBE2 antibody in the pharmaceutical composition may be a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, or a humanized antibody.

In another embodiment, the isolated of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention exhibits a specific binding affinity for crossreactive epitopes shared by SCUBE2 expressed on human vascular endothelial cells and SCUBE2 expressed on murine vascular endothelial cells.

In another aspect, the invention relates to use of an isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis is at least one selected from the group consisting of tumor, neovascular eye disorder, persistent hyperplastic vitreous syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, choroidal neovascularization, endometriosis, uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts, and ovarian hyperstimulation. In another embodiment, the use of the invention is in combination with use of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof.

Further in another aspect, the invention relates to use of an isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a tumor or for inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell growth in a subject in need thereof. Alternatively, the invention relates to an isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof for use in treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis, or in treating a tumor or inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell growth in a subject in need thereof. The anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention may be used in combination with an anti-VEGF antibody such as bevacizumab for use in treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis, or for use in treating a tumor, or inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell growth in a subject in need thereof.

The invention is also relates to a method for treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis, or for treating a tumor or inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell growth in a subject in need thereof. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of the invention to the subject in need thereof. The method may further comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody to the subject in need thereof.

These and other aspects will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows that SCUBE2 is expressed at the cell surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and modulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. A and B, SCUBE2 immunofluorescence staining (in green) and flow cytometry. Arrowhead indicates SCUBE2 expressed on EC membrane. Nuclei are stained with DAPI in blue. C, Western blot analysis of SCUBE2 protein expression in subconfluent (proliferating) and confluent (non-proliferating) HUVECs. D-F, SCUBE2 overexpression enhances VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and tubulogenesis. Exogenous SCUBE2 expressed in HUVECs transduced with an empty lentivirus or recombinant lentivirus encoding an FLAG-tagged SCUBE2 (D). Effect of SCUBE2 overexpression on VEGF-induced HUVEC cell growth (E). Data are mean±SD and represent percent increased relative to non-stimulated cells from 3 independent experiments. **. P<0.01. In vitro MATRIGEL™ angiogenesis assay of effect of SCUBE2 overexpression on VEGF-induced tube formation (F). Representative images are shown at top and quantified by counting the total number of tubules per field. Data are means±SD calculated from 3 independent experiments, **, P<0.01. G-I, SCUBE2 knockdown decreases VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. SCUBE2 expression was downregulated by two independent SCUBE2-targeting shRNA lentiviruses (SCUBE1-shRNA #1 and #2) in HUVECs (G). A luciferase shRNA lentivirus was a negative control (Control shRNA). Effect of SCUBE2 knockdown on VEGF-induced (H) HUVEC cell growth and (I) tube formation. Data are mean±SD and represent percent increased relative to non-stimulated cells from 3 independent experiments. **, P<0.01. In vitro MATRIGEL™ angiogenesis assay of effect of SCUBE2 knockdowns on VEGF-induced tube formation. Representative images are shown at top and quantified by counting the total number of tubules per field (I). Data are mean±SD calculated from 3 independent experiments, **, P<0.01.

FIG. 2 shows hypoxia mediated HIF-1α-induced upregulation of SCUBE2 n HUVECs. A and B, SCUBE2 was upregulated in HUVECs in response to hypoxia. HUVECs were cultured under normoxia or hypoxia (1%) for 12 hr. Expression of SCUBE2 at both mRNA and protein levels verified by quantitative RT-PCR (A) and western blot (B) analyses. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. **, P<0.01 compared to normoxia. C, Scheme of the SCUBE2 promoter reporter constructs containing the native (WT) or mutated (M1, M2, and M3) HIF-1α binding sites. The location of promoter (−1500˜+1) of SCUBE2 gene is shown by a lateral line. The HIF-1α-binding sites are marked by diamonds, and the mutant sites are shown as “×” marks. The primers and amplicon region used in the ChIP assay are labeled (upper panel). D, HIF-1α transactivates SCUBE2 promoter-driven luciferase activity. Quantification of activity of SCUBE2 WT or mutated promoter constructs transiently transfected into HUVECs. Luciferase activity was normalized to Renilla luciferase activity (pRL-TK) to control for transfection efficiency. E, HIF-1α directly binds to the SCUBE2 promoter with hypoxia. ChIP assay of in vivo binding of HIP-1α protein to the promoter of SCUBE2 in HUVECs analyzed by PCR with specific primers for HIF-1α amplifying a 238-bp fragment. Lack of cell lysates (−) was a negative control. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. **, P<0.01.

FIG. 3 shows attenuation of adult angiogenesis of in Scube3 EC-KO mice. A-D, MATRIGEL™ plug assays. Representative photographs of MATRIGEL™ plugs containing saline (−) or VEGF (+) removed from control and EC-KO mice at 7 d post-injection (A). Hemoglobin content of saline (−) and VEGF (+)-supplemented MATRIGEL™ plugs from control and EC-KO mice (B). Data are mean±SD (n=5). **, P<0.01. Anti-CD31 staining of sections of MATRIGEL™ plugs containing saline (−) or VEGF (+) excised from control and EC-KO mice (C). Scale bar=40 μm. Vascularization of MATRIGEL™ plugs as determined by anti-CD31 antibody positivity by using IMAGEJ™ (D). Data are mean±SD (n=5). **, P<0.01. E-H, Hind-limb ischemia-induced neovascularization. Representative laser-Doppler images (A) and quantification of hind-limb blood flow (B) before and after right femoral artery ligation in mice. Representative images (C) and quantification of anti-CD31 immunostaining of calf blood vessels (D) at 21 days after femoral artery ligation in control and EC-KO mice. Scale bar=100 μm. Data are mean±SD (n=6). **, P<0.01 compared to control.

FIG. 4 shows that SCUBE2 modulates VEGFR2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling in HUVECs. A and B, SCUBE2 knockdown impairs VEGF signaling in HUVECs. Western blot analysis of VEGF signaling in HUVECs (A) and quantification (B) of VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 at Tyr1059, p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) at Thr202/Tyr204 and AKT at Ser473 with control and SCUBE2 shRNA knockdown in HUVECs. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01 compared to control. C and D, Western blot analysis of VEGF signaling in ECs (C) and quantification (D) of VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 Tyr1059, p44/42 MAPK Thr202/Tyr204, and AKT Ser473 in control and SCUBE2-overexpressing ECs. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01 compared to vector.

FIG. 5 shows attenuation of VEGF responses and signaling in EC-KO mouse lung ECs (MLECs). A and B, VEGF-stimulated tubulogenesis (A) and proliferation (B) of EC-KO MLECs. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. **, P<0.01 compared to control. C and D, Western blot analysis of VEGF signaling in MLECs (C) and quantification (D) of VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 Tyr1059, p44/42 MAPK Thr202/Tyr204, and AKT Ser473 in control and EC-KO MLECs. Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01 compared to control. E, Photomicrographs show the angiogenic response of 5 day culture collagen-embedded thoracic aorta ring explants from control and EC-KO mice. Scale bar=1 mm. F, Quantification of the number and length of microvessel sprouts. The angiogenic response was determined for each individual aortic ring explant by quantifying the number of growing microvessels (left) and by measuring the total length occupied by the newly formed microvessels (right).

FIG. 6 shows that SCUBE2 is highly expressed in tumor endothelial cells (ECs). Immunochemistry of enriched EC expression of SCUBE2 (brown color indicated by red arrows) in mouse (breast, lung, melanoma) (A) and human (prostate, sarcoma, bladder) (B) carcinomas. The transgenic mouse mammary tumor virus polyoma middle T (MMTV-PyMT) model was used to obtain spontaneous mouse breast tumors derived from lung metastases. In addition, two xenograft tumors were developed by subcutaneous injection of syngeneic melanoma (B16F10) or Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Endothelial immunoreactivity was developed as red color (instead of brown) in melanoma tumor because a the melanin background of melanoma cells. Human normal and tumor pairs were purchased from a commercial tissue microarray source.

FIG. 7 shows that loss of endothelial Scube2 retards tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in EC-KO mice. A-D, Control and EC-KO mice were subcutaneously injected with B16F10 melanoma cells or Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor cells. Representative photos of B16F10 (A) and LLC (B) tumors at 16 d post-implantation and rate of tumor growth measured at the indicated time (C and D). Scale bar=10 mm. E-H, Impaired tumor microvasculature in EC-KO mice. Anti-CD31 staining of tumor sections showing decreased number of ECs and vessel structures in EC-KO mice (E and F). Quantification of tumor vascularization 16 d after implantation of tumor cells (G and H). Scale bar=40 μm. Data are mean±SD (n=6). **, P<0.01.

FIG. 8 shows that EC-KO tumors are deprived of oxygen and nutrients and thus undergo apoptosis. H&E staining (A), TUNEL assay (C), and Ki-67 staining (E) in B16F10- or LLC-induced tumor sections from control or EC-KO mice. Quantification of tumor necrosis (B), tumor-cell apoptosis (D) and proliferation (F). Scale bar=100 μm. Data are mean±SD (n=6). **, P<0.01.

FIG. 9 shows loss of endothelial Scube2 retards tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in EC-KO mice. A and B, Control and EC-KO mice were subcutaneously injected with MLTC leydig tumor cells. Representative photos of MLTC Leydig tumors at 60 d post-implantation (A) and rate of tumor growth measured at the indicated time (B). Scale bar=10 mm. C and D, Anti-CD31 staining of tumor sections showing decreased number of ECs and vessel structures in EC-KO mice (C). Quantification of tumor vascularization 16 d after implantation of tumor cells (D). Scale bar=40 μm. Data are mean±SD (n=6). **, P<0.01.

FIG. 10 shows the effect of endothelial ablation of Scube2 on developmental outgrowth of the retinal vasculature. A, Whole-mount P5 retinas from control and EC-KO pups were stained with a pan-endothelial marker CD31. White dashed circle denotes mean control angiogenic front (left) and orange dashed circle mean EC-KO angiogenic front (right). B, High-power magnification (100×) of the angiogenic front. Yellow dots mark filopodia. C and D, Quantification of retinal angiogenesis by measuring radial distance (C) from the optic nerve and number of filopodia (D) (expressed as a percentage of control). Data are mean±SD in each group). **, P<0.01.

FIG. 11 shows that deletion of SCUBE2 in endothelial cells reduces oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). A, Schematic diagram of the OIR model. Neonatal mice were exposed to 75% oxygen from postnatal day (P) 7 to P12 and returned to room air from P12 to P18 to induce maximum pathologic neovascularization at P18. B and C, Total RNAs were isolated from OIR-exposed or age-matched normoxic control mouse retinas at P18 (n=3) and subsequently applied to Q-PCR or RT-PCR for analyzing the mRNA expression of angiogenesis marker genes (B) or SCUBE gene family (C). D, Whole-mount analysis of the retinal vasculature of control or EC-KO mice after exposure to the OIR model. The size of the central avascular area or neovascular area at p18 (6 days after removal from 75% oxygen) is outlined in red or blue, respectively. E and F, Size of the neovascular area (E) or central avascular area (F) relative to that of the entire retina (expressed in %) was significantly smaller in EC-KO mice (n=5) compared to controls (n=5) subjected to the OIR model. **, P<0.01.

FIG. 12 shows anti-SCUBE2 mAbs with anti-angiogenetic effect. A, Anti-SCUBE2 mAb clones and their targeting domains. B, Anti-SCUBE2 mAbs inhibit vessel angiogenesis by an in vitro tube formation assay. A summary of anti-SCUBE2 mAbs with specificity and anti-angiogenetic effect is shown. h, human; m, mouse; z, zebrafish.

FIG. 13 shows that the anti-SCUBE2 mAb SP.B1 inhibits VEGF-induced responses and signal transduction in HUVECs. A and B, Characterization of anti-SCUBE2 mAb SP.B1. Western blot analysis and flow cytometry of mAb SP.B1 recognizing human and mouse recombinant SCUBE2, not 1 and 3 protein expressed in HEK-293T cells (A) and cell surface expression of SCUBE2 on HUVECs (B). C-I, The mAb SP.B1 blocks VEGF-stimulated cell responses and VEGF-induced VEGFR2 phosphorylation and MAPK/Akt activation. Addition of SP.B1 but not control IgG dose-dependently suppresses VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation (C) and angiogenesis (D and E). Phosphorylated and total VEGFR2, MAPK, and Akt induced by VEGF in HUVECs with SP.B1 or control IgG (F) and quantification (G-I). Data are mean±SD from 3 independent experiments (G-I). **, P<0.01.

FIG. 14 shows that combined anti-SCUBE2 SP.B1 and anti-VEGF bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) treatment had an additive anti-tumor effect on lung carcinoma growth and angiogenesis. A, Mean tumor volume in each treatment group over time after injection of LLC lung carcinoma cells (n=6). Arrows indicate the times of antibody treatment. B, Representative LLC lung carcinoma in each treated xenografted mice. Scale bar=1 cm. C, Tumors were excised and weighed (n=6/group). (D and E) Microvascular density of tumors. D and E, Representative anti-CD31 immunostaining (D) and quantified tumor vascularization (E) from lung carcinoma sections by use of IMAGEJ™. Scale bar=40 μm. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01.

FIG. 15 shows that combined anti-SCUBE2 SP.B1 and anti-VEGF bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) treatment had an additive anti-tumor effect on pancreatic ductal carcinoma growth and angiogenesis. A, Mean tumor volume in each treatment group over time after injection of PANC-1 pancreatic ductal carcinoma cells (n=6). Arrows indicate the times of antibody treatment. B, Representative PANC-1 pancreatic carcinoma in each treated xenografted mice. Scale bar=1 cm. C, Tumors were excised and weighed (n=6 group). (D and e) Microvascular density of tumors. D and E, Representative anti-CD31 immunostaining (D) and quantified tumor vascularization (E) from pancreatic ductal carcinoma sections by use of IMAGEJ™. Scale bar=40 μm. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01.

FIG. 16 shows that combined anti-SCUBE2 SP.B1 and anti-VEGF bevacizumab treatment had an additive anti-tumor effect on colorectal adenocarcinoma growth and angiogenesis. A, Mean tumor volume in each treatment group over time after injection of LS 174T colonic carcinoma cells (n=6). Arrows indicate the times of antibody treatment. B, Representative LS 174T colorectal adenocarcinoma in each treated xenografted mice. Scale bar=1 cm. C, Tumors were excised and weighed (n=6/group). (D and E) Microvascular density of tumors. D and E, Representative anti-CD31 immunostaining (D) and quantified tumor vascularization (E) from colorectal adenocarcinoma sections by use of IMAGEJ™. Scale bar=40 μm. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, titles or subtitles may be used in the specification for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present invention. Additionally, some terms used in this specification are more specifically defined below.

Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.

The term “antibody fragment” or “fragment thereof” is used herein, for purposes of the specification and claims, to mean a portion or fragment of an intact antibody molecule, wherein the fragment retains antigen-binding function; i.e., F(ab′), Fab′, Fab, Fv, single chain Fv (“scFv”), Fd′ and Fd fragments. Methods for producing the various fragments from mAbs are well known to those skilled in the art.

The terms “specific binding affinity or binding specificity for crossreactive epitopes shared by SCUBE2 expressed on human vascular endothelial cells and SCUBE2 expressed on murine vascular endothelial cells” (or “binding specificity for crossreactive epitopes between human SCUBE2 and murine SCUBE2”) are used herein to mean the property of an anti-SCUBE2 antibody to bind a cross-reactive epitope present on both human SCUBE2 and murine SCUBE2, wherein (a) such epitope is accessible on the surface of the vascular endothelial cells expressing the SCUBE2; (b) the binding to the SCUBE2 epitope present on murine endothelial cells is greater than the binding exhibited by an isotype control immunoglobulin, and “greater than” can be measured quantitatively as the binding of the anti-SCUBE2 mAb minus one standard deviation needs to be larger than the binding of the isotype control immunoglobulin plus 1 standard deviation, as will be more apparent in the following examples; and (c) the binding of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody to the SCUBE2 expressed on murine endothelial cells is at least two fold less when compared to the binding of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody to the SCUBE2 expressed on human endothelial cells, as detected in a standard assay for immunoreactivity.

A co-receptor is a cell surface receptor that binds a signaling molecule in addition to a primary receptor in order to facilitate ligand recognition and initiate biological processes.

The nucleotide sequence of human SCUBE2 cDNA (SEQ ID NO: 65); the amino acid sequence of human SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66).

Abbreviation: ECs, endothelial cells; EC-KO mice, EC-specific Scube2-knockout mice; LLC, Lewis lung carcinoma; AP, alkaline phosphatase; HIF, hypoxia-inducible factor; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell; KO, knockout; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; MLEC, mouse lung endothelial cell; RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase; SCUBE1, Signal peptide-complement protein C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1 (CUB)-epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain-containing protein 2; shRNA, short hairpin RNA; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGFR2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2.

Utility/Indications

-   (1) pathological tumor angiogenesis; and -   (2) neovascular eye diseases

SCUBE2 is a peripheral membrane protein expressed in normal and tumor vascular endothelial cells (ECs); however, its role in angiogenesis remains poorly understood. We discovered SCUBE2 as a co-receptor for VEGFR2 and its role in VEGF-induced angiogenesis. SCUBE2 was upregulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in response to hypoxic conditions and interacted with VEGFR2 in human ECs, where it acted as a co-receptor with VEGFR2 to facilitate VEGF binding and enhance its downstream signaling, thus promoting VEGF-induced angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. This SCUBE2 and VEGFR2 interaction and its enhanced signal transduction could be inhibited by endothelial Scube2 gene inactivation, SCUBE2 shRNA-mediated knockdown, as well as anti-SCUBE2 mAb neutralization both in vitro and in vivo. Endothelial Scube2 knockout (EC-KO mice) showed no defects in vascular development but did show impaired VEGF-induced neovascularization in implanted MATRIGEL™ plugs and impaired recovery of blood flow after induced hind-limb ischemia. SCUBE2 is a novel co-receptor for VEGFR2 that regulates the VEGF-induced tube formation and proliferation of ECs by fine-tuning VEGFR2-mediated signaling, especially during postnatal angiogenesis induced by ischemia or under hypoxic conditions. Targeting this SCUBE2 function in tumor ECs may represent a potential anti-tumor modality via inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

We discovered that SCUBE2 acts as a co-receptor for VEGFR2 to potentiate VEGF binding to VEGFR2 and augment its signals, including VEGFR2 phosphorylation and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/Akt activation, thus promoting cell proliferation and tubule formation in ECs. Physiological angiogenesis remained normal with endothelial ablation of Scube2 in mice, pathological angiogenesis in experimental tumors was altered, for smaller tumors and reduced microvascular density. To simulate the angiogenic environment of the tumor, Scube2-deficient ECs were isolated and propagated in vitro with VEGF. Mutant ECs showed markedly reduced binding of VEGF, proliferation and sprouting responses to VEGF as well as downstream signal activation. Furthermore, anti-SCUBE2 and anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies had an additive inhibitory effect on xenografted lung tumors. Together, our findings establish SCUBE2 is a key regulator of VEGF responses in tumor ECs and suggest that an anti-SCUBE2 strategy has great potential in combination anti-angiogenic cancer therapy.

EXAMPLES

Without intent to limit the scope of the invention, exemplary instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present invention are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain theories are proposed and disclosed herein; however, in no way they, whether they are right or wrong, should limit the scope of the invention so long as the invention is practiced according to the invention without regard for any particular theory or scheme of action.

Materials and Methods

-   Antibodies and reagents. Anti-SCUBE2, anti-HIF-1α, and     anti-phospho-tyrosine polyclonal antibodies were from GeneTex     (Irvine, Calif.). Anti-phospho-VEGFR2 (Thr1059), anti-phospho-MAPK     p44/p42 (Thr202/Tyr204), anti-MAPK p44/p42, anti-phospho-AKT     (Ser473), anti-AKT, and anti-EGFR antibodies were from Cell     Signaling Technology (Danvers, Mass.). Anti-VEGFR2 and anti-VEGF     antibodies were from Thermo Scientific (Rockford, Ill.) and Santa     Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, Calif.), respectively. Anti-CD31,     anti-phospho-serine/threonine, anti-VEGFR1, and anti-neuropilin-1     antibodies were from Abcam (Cambridge, Mass.). Anti-Ki67 and     anti-β-actin antibodies were from DAKO Cytomatation (Glostrup,     Denmark) and NOVUS Biologicals (Littleton, Colo.), respectively.     Recombinant VEGF₁₆₅ protein was from R&D Systems (Minneapolis,     Minn.). -   Generation of anti-SCUBE2 monoclonal antibodies. Antibody specific     against SCUBE2 was generated as follows. Splenocytes from BALB/c     mice immunized with purified recombinant SCUBE2-spacer region (amino     acids 445 to 667) produced from HEK-293T cells were fused with     myeloma cells (SP2/O) to produce hydridomas. The hybridoma cell     lines were prepared and subcloned as described previously (Hulas et     al. “Production of monoclonal antibodies. The effect of hybridoma     concentration on the yield of antibody-producing clones” J Immunol     Methods 1987; 96:3-6). The hybridoma cell lines positive for SCUBE2     not SCUBE1 and 3 were identified as described (Tu et al     “Localization and characterization of a novel protein SCUBE1 in     human platelets” Cardiovasc Res. 2006; 71:486-95; Cheng et al     “SCUBE2 suppresses breast tumor cell proliferation and confers a     favorable prognosis in invasive breast cancer” Cancer Res. 2009;     69:3634-41). -   Generation of conditional Scube2^(Flox/Flox) and     endothelium-specific Scube2-knockout (EC-KO) mice. The conditional     Scube2^(Flox) allele containing two loxP sites separated by 65 kb of     genomic sequence covering exons 2 to 21 was produced as described.     To generate endothelial-specific conditional KO mice, transgenic     mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the Tie2     promoter² and heterozygous for Scube2 (Tie2-Cre; Scuba2^(+/−)) were     crossed with Scube2^(Flox/Flox) animals to obtain experimental     Tie2-Cre; Scube2^(Flox/+) (control) and Tie2-Cre; Scube2^(Flox/−)     (EC-KO) mice. Male mice were mainly used for all phenotyping     comparisons in each genotype group (n=5 or more as specified). All     animal experiments were approved by the Institute Animal Care and     Utilization Committee, Academia Sinica. -   Tumor xenografts. Xenograft tumors were generated by injecting 1×10⁶     melanoma cells (B16F10) or Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC)     subcutaneously on flanks of control and EC-KO mice. Tumor size was     measured twice a week by using digital calipers and calculated by     length×width×height×0.5236 (in mm³). After tumor growth for 16 d,     the tumors were fixed and embedded in paraffin for tissue     sectioning. Pimonidazole and APO-BRDU™ (TUNEL) apoptosis reagents     were used according to manufacturer's instructions. Tissue blood     vessels and proliferation from LLC and B16F 10 tumors were     visualized by using CD31 and Ki-67 antibodies, respectively. -   MATRIGEL™ angiogenesis assay. The angiogenesis model was based on     the use of MATRIGEL™ implants in control or EC-KO mice. An amount of     0.5 ml growth factor-reduced MATRIGEL™ with or without 100 ng/ml     VEGF was injected in the mouse flank. The injection was made rapidly     with 26G needle to ensure that the contents of the syringe were     delivered as a single plug. One week later, plugs were harvested and     homogenized in RIPA lysis buffer. After the removal of debris by     centrifugation, the hemoglobin concentration was measured by using     Drabkin's regent (Sigma-Aldrich). Alternatively, plugs were fixed     overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, sectioned,     and stained with anti-CD31 antibody. -   Hind-limb ischemia model. The hind-limb ischemia model was performed     as previously described.³ Briefly, the femoral artery of control and     EC-KO mice (8 weeks) was exposed, isolated from the femoral nerve     and vein, and ligated at two positions 5 mm apart, one just proximal     to the groin ligament, and the second distal to it and proximal to     the popliteal artery. The skin was closed by interrupted 4-0     sutures. Laser-Doppler flow imaging involved use of the Moor     Infrared Laser Doppler Imager with mice under anesthesia at     different times before and after surgery. Calf muscles were     harvested with mice under anesthesia at 3 weeks after proximal     femoral artery ligation and used for CD31 staining. -   Aortic ring sprouting assay. Mouse aortic ring sprouting assay was     essentially prepared as reported. Aortas were harvested from mice.     Remove all extraneous fat, tissue and branching vessels with forceps     and a scalpel. Transfer aortas to a petri dish containing OPTI-MEM     culture medium, and the aortas were sliced into approximately 0.5     mm-thick ring. The rings were embedded in 1 mg/ml type I collagen     and then incubate it at 37° C./5% CO₂ for 1 h. OPTI-MEM culture     medium supplemented with 2.5% FBS and 30 ng/ml VEGF was added and     surround the aortic ring. The number and length of microvessel     sprouts were calculated on day 5. -   Immunohistochemistry. Tissue sections (5 μm thick) were dewaxed with     xylene, rehydrated in graded concentrations of alcohol, treated with     3% H₂O₂ for 20 min, washed with PBS, blocked with blocking solution     (PBST supplemented with 2% BSA and 2% normal goat serum) for 1 h,     and incubated at room temperature overnight with primary antibody.     Antibody binding was detected by using horseradish     peroxidase-conjugated antibody and stable 3,3′-diaminobenzidine     (DAB) peroxidase substrate. Homatoxylin was used for     counterstaining. -   Primary mouse lung ECs (MLECs) isolation, characterization and     culture. Primary MLECs were generated from lung tissue of control     and EC-KO mice as described.⁶ Each mouse (6 weeks old) initially     received a 100-μl intramuscular injection of heparin (140 U/ml),     then 10 min later, mice were anesthetized, and the thoracic cavity     was exposed. Cold M199 medium was injected via the right ventricle     to flush blood cells from the king. An amount of 1 ml collagenase A     (1 mg/ml) was then quickly instilled through the trachea into the     lungs. The lungs were removed and incubated with 5 ml collagenase A     for 30 min in 37° C. The cell suspension was filtered through a     70-μm strainer, then centrifuged for 5 min at 1000 rpm. The cell     pellet was resuspended in growth medium (M199 medium supplemented     with 20% fetal bovine serum, 50 μg/ml EC growth factor, 100 μg/ml     heparin, 2 mM glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml     streptomycin) and plated into a gelatin-coated tissue culture dish     for an additional 2 days. Cells were removed by use of trypsin and     pooled into one suspension for anti-CD31-PE antibody staining and     FACS sorting. -   Hypoxia treatment and lentiviral SCUBE2 overexpression/knockdown in     HUVECs. HUVECs were purchased from the Bioresource Collection and     Research Center (Taiwan) and cultured according to the supplier's     recommendations. For hypoxic treatment, HUVECs were exposed to     hypoxia (1% O₂) by incubation in a CO₂ incubator gassed with a     mixture of 95% N₂/5% CO₂. HUVECs were engineered with the     full-length SCUBE2 expression vector or empty vector by a     self-inactivating leniviral transduction system. We used the     vector-based short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) generated by The RNAi     Consortium to knock down the endogenous SCUBE2 in the HUVECs. -   Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). ChIP analysis was as described     with the EZ-MAGNA CHIP™ G Kit. Briefly, HUVECs (1×10⁷ cells) were     cross-linked by use of 1% formaldehyde, lysed in 500 μl lysis buffer     and sonicated to approximately 500-bp fragments. ChIP involved     antibodies against HIF-1α or IgG. The input control DNA or     immunoprecipitated DNA was amplified in a 50-μl reaction volume     consisting of 2 μl eluted DNA template with primers (Table 1). PCR     involved use of Taq polymerase for 35 cycles of 94° C. for 30 sec,     63.5° C. for 30 sec, 72° C. for 40 sec, then 5 min at 72° C. A 10-μl     aliquot from each PCR reaction was separated on 1.5% agarose gel. -   Luciferase reporter assay. HUVECs were transiently transfected with     4.5 μg SCUBE2 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid (WT, M1, M2, and     M3) and internal control (0.45 μg pRL-TK Renilla luciferase plasmid)     by using NUCLEOFECTOR™ according to the manufacturer's instructions.     Cells were cultured for an additional 2 days, harvested and prepared     for reporter assay with the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system. -   EC proliferation assay. The effect of SCUBE2 on EC proliferation was     determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium     bromide (MTT) assay as described. Briefly ECs were trypsinized and     plated onto 96-well cell culture plates at 2000 cells/well in 100 μl     complete media. The next day, the cells were stimulated with VEGF     (100 ng/ml) or control media for 4 days and cell number was     examined. -   EC tubulogenesis assay. ECs (3×10³ cells pre well) were seeded on     MATRIGEL™ in 15-well μ-Slide angiogenesis plates with VEGF (100     ng/ml). After 16 hours, the tubulogenesis was determined by counting     vessels in 3 random fields per well. -   VEGF-alkaline phosphatase (AP) binding assay. The production of     AP-tagged VEGF protein and binding experiments were performed     essentially as described. The AP-VEGF chimeric ligand was     constructed by amplifying the portion of VEGF cDNA using PCR with     the following primers: CCG CTC GAG GCA CCC ATG GCA GAA GGA (SEQ ID     NO: 67) and GCT CTA GAT TAT CAC CGC CTC GGC TTG TCA CA (SEQ ID NO:     68). The 498 bp amplified fragment was then cloned into the XhoI and     XbaI restriction site of APtag-5. The AP-VEGF fusion protein and the     control AP proteins were produced by transient transfection into     HEK-293T cells. Supernatants of transfected HEK-293T cells were     collected, concentrated, and stored. HEK-293T cells overexpressing     VEGFR2 alone or together with SCUBE2 and ECs were incubated 4 h in     supernatants and washed three times at 4° C. with PBS. Then cells     were lysed for 5 min on ice in lysis buffer (25 mM Hepes, pH7.6, 150     mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 10 μg/ml aprotinin, 5 μg/ml leupeptin, 10%     glycerol, and 1% Triton X-100). Cell lysates were clarified by     centrifugation at 10,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. The AP activity was     detected using the p-Nitrophenyl phosphate substrates. -   Pull-down assay. Myc-tagged VE-cadherin-FL, D1, and D2 protein     (Myc.VE-cadherin-FL, -D1, -D2) was produced using the in vitro     transcription/translation method. Recombinant GST-tagged SCUBE2-CUB     protein (GST.SCUBE2-CUB) was purified from the soluble fraction of     bacterial lysates with glutathione-SEPHAROSE™ beads. The FLAG-tagged     SCUBE2-FL, EGF, Spacer, CR, and CUB protein (FLAG.SCUBE2-FL, -EGF,     -Spacer, -CR, -CUB) was produced by overexpression from HEK-293T     cells. Recombinant VEGF₁₆₅ protein was purchased from R&D Systems.     For the SCUBE2 and VEGF₁₆₅ interaction assay, the recombinant     VEGF₁₆₅ protein was mixed with FLAG.SCUBE2-FL, EGF, Spacer, CR, and     CUB protein bound to anti-FLAG M2 antibody-agarose beads or control     beads in 0.5 ml of binding buffer [40 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), 100 mM KCl,     0.1% NONIDET™ P-40, and 20 mM 2-mercaptoethanol]. After incubation     for 4 h at 4° C., the beads were washed extensively, and interacting     protein was visualized by immunoblotting using anti-VEGF antibody.     For the SCUBE2 and VEGFR2 interaction assay, GST-tagged SCUBE2-CUB     protein was mixed with Myc.VEGFR2-FL, -D1, -D2 protein in 0.5 ml     binding buffer. After incubation for 4 h at 4° C., the protein     solutions were incubated with glutathione.SEPHAROSE™ for 2 h with     gentle rocking. Alter three washes with binding buffer, precipitated     complexes were visualized by immunoblotting using anti-Myc antibody. -   Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Endothelial cells were fixed     in 4% formaldehyde, blocked with 2% fetal bovine serum for 1 h, and     incubated with chicken anti-SCUBA2 and mouse anti-VEGFR2 antibody     for 1 h. Slides were washed 3 times with PBS and stained with ALEXA     FLUOR® 488-labeled anti-mouse IgG antibody and Alexa Fluor     594-labeled anti-chicken IgG antibody for 1 h, then washed 3 times     in PBS and mounted by using VECTASHIELD® mounting medium with DAPI.     Fluorescence images were captured at room temperature under a     confocal microscope.     RNA Extraction, cDNA Synthesis, and RT-PCR -   Total RNA was prepared from cultured cells by the TRIZOL® method.     First-strand cDNA synthesis with SUPERSCRIPT™ II reverse     transcriptase involved 5 μg RNA. One-tenth of the first-strand cDNA     reaction was used for each PCR as a template. The PCR products were     run on a 1% agarose gel. Primers are listed in Table 1.

Immunoprecipitation and Western Blot Analysis

-   The Myc-tagged VEGFR2 expression constructs were transfected alone     and in combination with a series of the expression plasmids encoding     the indicated FLAG-tagged SCUBE2 protein in HEK-293T cell. Two days     after transfection, cells were washed once with PBS and lysed for 5     min on ice in lysis buffer (25 mM Hepes, pH7.6, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM     EDTA, 10 μg/ml aprotinin, 5 μg/ml leupeptin, 10% glycerol, and 1%     TRITON® X-100). Cell lysates were clarified by centrifitgation at     10,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. Samples were incubated with 1 μg of the     indicated antibody and 20 μl of 50% (v/v) Protein A-agarose for 2 h     with gentle rocking. After 3 washes with lysis buffer, precipitated     complexes were solubilized by boiling in Laemmli sample buffer,     fractionated by SDS-PAGE, and transferred to PVDF membranes, which     were blocked with phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.5) containing 0.1%     gelatin and 0.05% TWEEN® 20 and blotted with the indicated     antibodies. After 2 washes, the blots were incubated with     horseradish peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG for 1 h. After     washing the membranes, the reactive bands were visualized by use of     the VISGLOW™ chemiluminescent substrate, HRP system (Visual     Protein). -   Statistical analysis. Data are presented as mean±SD and were     analyzed by two-tailed paired t test. P<0.05 was considered     statistically significant.

Table 1 lists primer sequences and SEQ ID NO: for RT-PCR (SEQ ID NOs: 69-82; 85-86); for ChIP (SEQ ID NOs: 83-84); for Q-PCR (SEQ ID NOs: 87-94); for genotyping (SEQ ID NOs: 95-102).

TABLE 1 Gene Forward (SEQ ID NO:) Reverse (SEQ ID NO:) SCUBE1 TGCGGCGGCGAGCTTGGTGAC (69) TTTGGAGCGCAGCAGTTTGATGAA (70) SCUBE2 TCTTGCCCAGGAAATACTACGACT (71) TGGGCCAGGACATCAAACAGAG (72) SCUBE3 TGGCCCAATGCAAGAATCGTCAGT (73) TGGGCTAGCACCTCAAAGAAG (74) GAPDH GCCAAAAGGGTCATCATCTC (75) ACCACCTGGTGCTCAGTGTA (76) Scube1 CGGCGGCGAACTTGGTGACTACA (77) TTGATAAAGGACCGGGGGAACAT (78) Scube2 TGACTACCTGGTGATGCGGAAAAC (79) CAGTGGCGTGTGGGAAGAGTCA (80) Scube3 TGCTCCCCGGGCCACTACTAT (81) AGCGCTGTTGGCCTCACTGGTCTT (82) SCUBE2 GCACACGCACGCGCGCACACA (83) GAAGGGTGCAGAGGGTGTGCT (84) Gapdh ATCATCCCTGCATCCACTGGTGCTG (85)  TGATGGCATTCAAGAGAGTAGGGAG (86) SCUBE1 AACATCCCGGGGAACTACAG (87) GCAGCCACCATTATTGTCCT (88) SCUBE2 CAGGCAGAGTCCTGTGGAGT (89) TAAAATGCAGCGTTCTCGTG (90) SCUBE3 CCTGCTTGTCCTGCTGGT (91) TCGATGTGGCAGTTGTCAGT (92) GAPDH TGAAGGTCGGAGTCAACCG (93) AGAGTTAAAAGCAGCCCTGGTG (94) Scube2- ATAGTCGACTGTTGTCCAGTATCTGTT ATAGCGGCCGCTACGACACCCTGGGATA 5′Flox GC (95) AAG (96) Scube2- GGCCATGTCCCTGAAGAAAACTA (97) TTATGGGGCCAAGACACTCAAA (98) 3′Flox Scube2- CTGGGGCCTCTGGGACACTATT (99) GTTATGGGGCCAAGACACTCAAA (100) Null Crem TTACCGGTCGATGCAACGAGTGATG GTGAAACAGCATTGCTGTCACTT (102) (101) *SCUBE1-3 and GAPDH are human genes; Scube1-3 and Gapdh are mouse genes.

Results SCUBE2 is Expressed in Human ECs and Regulates VEGF-Induced EC Proliferation and Tube Formation

We first confirmed SCUBE2 protein expression in HUVECs by immunostaining (FIG. 1A), flow cytometry (FIG. 1B), and western blot analysis (FIG. 1C). Confocal immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry revealed SCUBE2 localized partially on the EC membrane (FIGS. 1A and 1B). In addition, protein levels were higher in proliferating, sub-confluent ECs than growth-arrested, confluent ECs (FIG. 1C).

We then investigated a potential role for SCUBE2 in regulating VEGF responses by overexpressing and knocking down SCUBE2 in human ECs. After transduction of recombinant lentivirus encoding the full-length FLAG-tagged SCUBE2 or two independent SCUBE2-targeting short hairpin RNAs (shRNA #1 and #2) in HUVECs, the overexpression and knockdown of SCUBE2 were verified by RT-PCR or western blot analyses (FIGS. 1D and 1G). SCUBE2 overexpression significantly increased (FIGS. 1E and 1F) and SCUBE2 knockdown (FIGS. 1H and 1I) markedly reduced VEGF-induced EC growth and capillary-like network formation on MATRIGEL™. Together, these data support a role for SCUBE2 in modulating VEGF-induced proliferation and tubulogenesis HUVECs.

Upregulation of SCUBE2 by HUVECs

Because hypoxia-induced VEGF expression by HIF-1α is critical for postnatal neovascularization, we then investigated whether endothelial SCUBE2 is also upregulated by a similar mechanism. After 12-h exposure of HUVECs to hypoxia, the expression of SCUBE2 but not SCUBE1 or SCUBE3 was significantly increased at both mRNA and protein levels, which was concomitant with HIF-1α accumulation (FIGS. 2A and 2B). Furthermore, ChIP assay and promoter mutation analysis confirmed that endogenous HIF-1α could indeed interact with a DNA region that harbors a consensus HIF binding motif (A/GCTGA) within the SCUBE2 promoter and transactivate SCUBE2 expression in HUVECs with hypoxia treatment (FIG. 2C-2E).

Generation of EC-Specific Scube2-Knockout (EC-KO) Mice

To further investigate the role of endothelial Scuba on VEGF responses in vivo, we knocked out Scube2 specifically in ECs by crossing mice carrying a conditional “Floxed” allele of Scube2 [flanking the exons encoding 9 EGF-like repeats, the spacer region, 3 cysteine-rich motifs, and the CUB domain with loxP] with transgenic mice expressing the bacteriophage recombinase Cre under the control of the anziopoietin receptor (Tie2) promoter, which is pan-endothelial expressed. Male Tie2-Cre; Scube2^(+/−) were bred to female Scube2^(Flox/Flox) mice to obtain Tie2-Cre; Scube2^(Flox/+) (designated “control”) and Tie2-Cre; Scube2^(Flox/−) (designated EC-KO) mice.

To determine the endothelial-specific recombination efficiency of the Scube2^(Flox) allele, primary lung MLECs were isolated from control and EC-KO mice. Flow cytometry revealed these cell populations highly enriched in ECs because approximately 95% of these cells expressed CD31. In addition, both mRNA and protein levels of Scube2 were efficiently and specifically ablated without obvious compensatory upregulation of Scube1 and Scube3 in EC-KO MLECs. Consistently, immunostaining of adult mouse lungs verified the complete abrogation of endothelial (but not bronchial epithelial) Scube2 expression in EC-KO mice. Therefore, Scube2 was efficiently ablated in the endothelial compartment of adult EC-KO mice.

Control and EC-KO mice were recovered at the expected Mendelian ratio and showed the normal pattern of weight gain, so vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were sufficient for normal development. We observed no phenotypic differences in general health and behavior between control and EC-KO animals. EC-KO females reproduced normally and had normal litter sizes, which suggested sufficient reproductive angiogenesis to allow for colony propagation. Together, these data suggest that physiological angiogenesis was grossly unaffected by endothelial inactivation of Scube2.

Responses to Exogenous VEGF and Adult Angiogenesis are Impaired in Scube2 EC-KO Mice

To explore the potential function of endothelial Scube2 in VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis in vivo, we used MATRIGEL™-plug assay with MATRIGEL™ mixed with VEGF (+) or saline (−) administered subcutaneously to age- and sex-matched EC-KO and control mice with recovery 7 days later (FIG. 3). On gross examination, MATRIGEL™ plugs containing VEGF from control mice were reddish-brown (FIG. 3A). However, plugs containing VEGF from EC-KO mice were paler than control plugs (FIG. 3A). Consistently, total hemoglobin content, a measure of intact vessel formation associated with the amount of newly formed capillary network, in VEGF-containing MATRIGEL™ plugs was reduced ˜50% for EC-KO mice (FIG. 3B). To ensure that this hemoglobin difference was caused by reduced microvasculature density, blood vessel infiltration in implants was quantified by immunostaining with anti-CD31 antibody (a marker of endothelia) (FIGS. 3C and 3D). In contrast to MATRIGEL™-implanted control mice, implanted EC-KO mice showed decreased vascularization, even in saline-containing plugs (FIG. 3C). Furthermore, the microvascular density of VEGF-containing plugs was lower by 50% in EC-KO than control mice (FIG. 3D), and no large vascular tubes were seen (FIG. 3C), which suggests that the VEGF-induced adult angiogenic response depends on endothelial Scube2 in vivo.

To further evaluate the proangiogenic effect of endothelial Scube2, we used a second adult neovascularization model (i.e., hind-limb ischemia): the common femoral artery was ligated in control and EC-KO mice and blood flow as well as vascular regeneration and angiogenesis were monitored over time by laser Doppler imaging and anti-CD31 immunostaining, respectively. Laser-Doppler analyses revealed a similar degree of reduced blood flow in ligated limbs of control and EC-KO animals after surgery as compared with nonligated contralateral limbs (FIGS. 3E and 3F), which indicates comparable post-surgery ischemia in both strains. In control mice, blood flow recovered to almost baseline levels by 21 days after surgery. However, blood flow recovery was significantly impaired in EC-KO animals (FIGS. 3E and 3F). Consistently, histology of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle showed lower anti-CD31-positive capillary density induced by ligation in EC-KO than control mice at 21 days (FIGS. 3G and 3H). Therefore, functional Scube2 may be required in the endothelium for revascularization after ischemia induced by femoral artery ligation.

SCUBE2 Co-Localizes and Interacts with VEGFR2 and Potentiates VEGF Binding to VEGFR2 HUVECs

Because SCUBE2 can regulate VEGF responses both in vitro and in vivo (FIGS. 1 and 3) and SCUBE proteins can function as co-receptors for signaling receptor serine/threonine kinases or RTKs, we examined whether SCUBE2 co-localizes and interacts with VEGFR2 in HUVECs. Conthcal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation experiments indeed revealed that VEGF promotes their co-localization at the plasma membrane and enhances the association of SCUBE2 with VEGFR2, peaking at 10 min after VEGF stimulation in HUVECs. This result was further elaborated in HEK-293T cells transfected with SCUBE2 and VEGFR2 expression plasmids, showing that the CUB domain of SCUBE2 can interact with the extracellular immunoglobin-like folds of VEGFR2. In addition, this SCUBE2-VEGFR2 interaction appeared specific because anti-SCUBE2 immunoprecipitation did not pull down other RTKs such as VEGFR1 and EGFR or another VEGFR2 co-receptor Neuropilin-1. Most importantly, besides binding to VEGFR2, SCUBE2 could directly bind to VEGF-A₁₆₅ via its EGF-like repeats. We have performed additional co-immunoprecipitation experiments to verify whether SCUBE1 or SCUBE3 can also bind to VEGF or VEGFR2. Unlike SCUBE2 that can specifically bind to VEGF, SCUBE1 and SCUBE3 cannot interact with VEGF, suggesting that SCUBE1 or SCUBE3 may not function as a co-receptor for VEGF (See Lin et al. “Endothelial SCUBE2 Interacts With VEGFR2 and Regulates VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis” Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2017; 37:144-155).

To evaluate whether SCUBE2 could indeed increase VEGF binding to VEGFR2, we first produced a functional alkaline phosphatase (AP)-VEGF fusion protein as described. As compared with control AP protein, AP-VEGF protein showed binding on HUVECs endogenously expressing VEGFR2. Interestingly, SCUBE2 overexpression increased and SCUBE2 knockdown or genetic knockout decreased AP-VEGF binding as compared with corresponding control HUVECs. Consistently, Scatchard analysis showed that the binding affinity of VEGF to VEGFR2 was greater by a factor of ˜3 with VEGFR2 co-expressed with SCUBE2 than with VEGFR2 alone in HEK-293T cells (K_(d)=0.21 vs 0.58 nM). Together, these data suggest that SCUBE2 acts as a co-receptor for VEGFR2 and potentiates VEGF binding to VEGFR2.

SCUBE2 Modulates VEGFR2 Phosphorylation and Downstream Signaling in HUVECs

We next investigated whether SCUBE2 facilitates VEGF-activation signals in HUVECs. To this end, we used VEGF as a stimulator and SCUBE2 shRNA knockdown or SCUBE2 overexpression to evaluate the function of SCUBE2 on VEGF-induced signaling. VEGF could induce VEGFR2 Tyr1059 phosphorylation, the p44/42 MAPK signaling cascade, and AKT activation. However, SCUBE2 shRNA knockdown reduced (FIGS. 4A-B) and SCUBE2 overexpression (FIGS. 4C-D) enhanced VEGF-induced VEGFR2 phosphorylation, the p44/42 MAPK signaling cascade, and AKT activation. Our data strongly indicate that as a VEGFR2 co-receptor, SCUBE2 is involved in regulating VEGF-induced VEGFR2 downstream signals in HUVECs. We have determined the phosphorylation status of SCUBE2 upon treatment of VEGF in HUVECs. After VEGF stimulation, anti-SCUBE2 immunoprecipitates were blotted with anti-phosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) or anti-phosphoserine/threonine (p-Ser/Thr) pan-specific antibody, respectively. SCUBE2 appears unphosphorylated upon treatment with VEGF up to 30 min. However, further phospho-proteomic analysis will be needed to verify whether or not SCUBE2 is phosphorylated after VEGF stimulation.

Scube2 Modulates VEGF Signaling in Primary Murine Lung ECs (MLECs)

Similar to our knockdown experiments in HUVECs (FIGS. 1G-1I), VEGF-induced cell proliferation and tube formation were markedly attenuated in EC-KO MLECs as compared with control MLECs (FIGS. 5A-B). We further assessed the effect of endothelial Scube2 gene deletion on VEGF-induced signaling. We stimulated control and EC-KO MLECs with 50 ng/ml VEGF for 0, 10, 20, and 30 min. In agreement with SCUBE2 shRNA knockdown in HUVECs, VEGF signaling, determined by phosphorylation of VEGFR2, p44/42 MAPK, and AKT, was markedly lower in EC-KO than control MLECs (FIGS. 5C-D).

Decreased Microvessel Outgrowth from Aortic explant of Scube2 EC-KO Mice

We further investigate the role of SCUBE2 angiogenesis using the ex vivo aortic ring sporting assay, in which we compared the angiogenic potential of aortic fragments derived from control and EC-KO mice. The aortic rings, isolated from control and EC-KO mice, were treated with PBS or VEGF, and the angiogenic response was determined for each individual aortic ring explant by quantifying the number of growing microvessels and by measuring the total length occupied by the newly formed microvessels. Quantification of the number of the tube-like structures (sprouts) and of the length of sprouts in response to VEGF (30 ng/m) at 5 days, showed a significant decrease of both parameters in EC-KO compared to control aortic rings (FIGS. 5E-5F). Therefore, these ex vivo results confirm in vitro data and support the role of SCUBE2 in VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis.

Tumor Growth is Reduced in EC-KO Mice

SCUBE2 is highly expressed in tumor endothelial cells. FIG. 6 shows the results of immunohistochemistry, illustrating enriched EC expression of SCUBE2 (arrows) in breast, lung, melanoma (A) and prostate, sarcoma, and bladder carcinomas (B). Given the essential role of endothelial Scube2 in adult neoangiogenesis (FIG. 3), we then studied the effect of endothelial inactivation of Scube2 (EC-KO) on pathological tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Control and EC-KO mice were injected subcutaneously with syngeneic melanoma (B16F10) or Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Both the growth and size of tumors were lower for EC-KO than control mice (FIGS. 7A-D). In line with adult angiogenesis defects with the endothelial loss of Scube2, microvascular density (seen by anti-CD31 staining) was markedly lower in EC-KO than control tumors (FIGS. 7E-H), which suggests that endothelial Scube2 plays an essential role in promoting tumor angiogenesis and growth. Importantly, vessel density in nontumorous adult skin was comparable between control and EC-KO animals (data not shown).

The angiogenesis defects observed in EC-KO mice implied that tumor cells might be deprived of nutrients and oxygen and therefore undergo apoptosis and necrosis. Consistent with this notion, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a central core of necrotic tissue in EC-KO tumors but a much smaller necrotic area in control tumors (FIGS. 8A-B). Furthermore, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and Ki-67 immunostaining showed greater apoptosis and markedly reduced proliferation of tumor cells in EC-KO tumors as compared with control tumors (FIGS. 8C-F). Again, these results indicate that endothelial Scube2 is indispensable for angiogenesis to sustain the survival a tumor cells.

FIG. 9 shows loss of endothelial Scube2 retards tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in EC-KO mice. Representative photos of MLTC Leydig tumors at 60 d post-implantation and rate of tumor growth measured at the indicated time are shown (A, and B). EC-KO mice showed impaired tumor microvasculature. Anti-CD31 staining of tumor sections showing decreased number of ECs and vessel structures in EC-KO mice (C). Quantification of tumor vascularization 16 d after implantation of tumor cells (D).

Retinal Vasculature Growth is Reduced in EC-KO Mice

FIG. 10 shows the effect of endothelial ablation of Scube2 on developmental outgrowth of the retinal vasculature.

Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy is Reduced in EC-KO Mice

FIG. 11 shows that deletion of SCUBE2 in endothelial cells reduces oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).

Anti-SCUBE2 Antibodies

SCUBE2 has at least 5 distinct domain motifs (FIG. 12A): an NH₂-terminal signal peptide sequence, followed by 9 copies of EGF-like repeats (E), a spacer region, 3 cysteine-rich motifs (Cys-rich), and one CUB domain at the COOH terminus. Amino acids for each domain are (1) SP: a.a. 1-37; (2) EGF-like repeats: a.a. 49-442; (3) Spacer: a.a. 443-669; (4) CR: a.a. 70-803; and (5) CUB: a.a. 838-947. On the basis of domain prediction, mature SCUBE2 protein (a.a. 38 to a.a. 1028) can be secreted into the extracellular medium.

Anti-SCUBE2 antibodies were produced. FIG. 12A shows the specific targeting domain of each anti-SCUBE2 mAb clones. The clone EGF-C3 recognizes the EGF-like repeats 4-6 (a.a. 175-323), whereas SP-A1 (a.a. 441-659), B1 (a.a. 441-659), and B2 (a.a. 441-659) clones bind the spacer region of SCUBE2. The CR #5 clone detects the 1^(st) cys-rich motif (a.a. 608-725) of SCUBE2. The EGF-C3 clone was obtained by immunized with a recombinant protein containing the EGF-like repeats of SCUBE2 and the SP-A1, B1 and B2 clones was obtained by immunized with a recombinant protein containing the spacer region of SCUBE2. Likewise, the CR-#5 clone was obtained by immunized with a recombinant protein containing the 1^(st) cys-rich motif.

These antibodies showed inhibitory activities on vessel tube formation when incubated with endothelial cells in an in vitro tubulogenesis assay (FIG. 12B). The species specificity and anti-angiogenetic activity of these anti-SCUBE2 mAb clones are shown (FIG. 12B). Tables 2-6 show the CDR sequences of anti-SCUBE2 monoclonal antibodies. Complementarity-determining regions 1-3 (CDR1-3), and framework regions 1-4 (FW1-4) for both the V_(H) and V_(L) domains are shown.

Treatment of Neovascular Eye Diseases

The effect of intravitreal injection of anti-SCUBE2 antibodies on retinal neovascularization is examined in a marine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Our preliminary data showed that these anti-SCUBE2 antibodies could suppress the vessel angiogenesis by an in vitro endothelial cell tube formation assay. For example, the SP.B1 clone is capable of inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and capillary tube formation stimulated by VEGF (FIG. 13C-E).

Anti-SCUBE2 (SP.B1) and Anti-VEGF (Bevacizumab) Synergistically Inhibit Lung, Pancreatic, and Colorectal Carcinoma Growth

Because our results suggested that the membrane-associated SCUBE2 plays critical roles in tumor angiogenesis, we evaluated whether inhibition of SCUBE2 by a neutralizing mAb could be a potential agent for treating solid tumors. A mAb specific for SCUBE2 (clone SP.B1) was developed; the mAb did not crossreact with SCUBE1 or 3 (FIGS. 13A-B), which indicates lack of significant off-target effects. Given the proangiogenic activity of SCUBE2, we first assessed the in vitro effects of this mAb in VEGF-stimulated responses in HUVECs. Incubation of SP.B1 mAb but not control IgG blocked VEGF-induced signals, including VEGFR2 phosphorylation and p44/42 MAPK/Akt activation (FIGS. 13F-I). The functional activity of this mAb was verified by its specific ability to inhibit EC proliferation and capillary tube formation stimulated by VEGF (FIGS. 13C-E).

Furthermore, we established a tumor model with lung carcinoma LLC cells, which do not express SCUBE2 or VEGFR2. Incubation with SP.B1 mAb had no effect on cell growth (data not shown), so SP.B1 mAb could not target actual tumor cells, and any reduced tumor growth would result from anti-angiogenic effects. Because SCUBE2 acts as a co-receptor for VEGFR2 and bevacizumab can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, we also investigated whether combined treatment with SP.B1 and bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) could have an additive effect on suppressing lung tumor growth. Therapeutic injection was started when lung tumors reached 50 mm³. LLC growth was markedly inhibited by SP.B1, bevacizumab, and combined treatment (SP.B1+bevacizumab) as compared with mouse or human IgG treatment (FIGS. 14A-C). Furthermore, SP.B1+bevacizumab had greater inhibitory effect on tumor growth (56%) than SP.B1 (29%) or bevascizuman (40%) alone (FIG. 14C), so these 2 agents may act at least in part on different pathways critical tumor angiogenesis. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis showed significantly reduced microvascular density with both SP.B1 and bevacizumab treatment (FIGS. 14D-E). Importantly, vessel numbers were 49% and 31% less with SP.B1+bevacizumab than SP.B1 and bevacizumab treatment alone, respectively. Combined treatment with SP.B1 and bevacizumab may have potential to target tumor angiogenesis in the clinic.

FIG. 15 shows that combined anti-SCUBE2 SP.B1 and anti-VEGF bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) treatment had an additive anti-tumor effect on pancreatic ductal carcinoma growth and angiogenesis. FIG. 16 shows that combined anti-SCUBE2 SP.B1 and anti-VEGF bevacizumab treatment had an additive anti-tumor effect on colorectal adenocarcinoma growth and angiogenesis.

TABLE 2 mAb Clone: EGF-C3 (IgG2a) V_(H) domains (SEQ ID NO: 1) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSRKLS GETISSFGMH WVRQAPERGLE YISSGSNTIYYADT CVAS (SEQ ID NO: 3) WVA VKG (SEQ ID NO: 9) (SEQ ID NO: 10) (SEQ ID NO: 4) FW3 CDR3 FW4 RFTISRDNPKNTLFLQMTSLWS SGTLDGWFTY WGRGTLVTVST EDTAMYYCAR (SEQ ID NO: 11) (SEQ ID NO: 5) (SEQ ID NO: 12) V_(L) domains (SEQ ID NO: 2) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 DIVMTQPPLSLPVSLGD RSSQSILHSNGNTYL WYLQKPGQSPKLL KLFNRFS QASISC (SEQ ID NO: 13) E (SEQ ID NO: 6) IY (SEQ ID NO: 14) (SEQ ID NO: 7) FW3 CDR3 FW4 GVPDRFNGSGSGTDFTL LQGSHVPPT FGAGTKLEIK (SEQ KISRAEAEDLGVYYC (SEQ ID NO: 8) ID NO: 16 (SEQ ID NO: 15)

TABLE 3 mAb Clone: SP-A1 (IgG1); (same as SP-B1) V_(H) domains (SEQ ID NO: 17) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 EVQLQQSGPELVKPGAS GYAFTSYNMY WVKQSHGKSLE YIDPYNGDTNNNQK VKVSCKAS (SEQ ID NO: 19) WIG FKG (SEQ ID NO: 25) (SEQ ID NO: 26) (SEQ ID NO: 20) FW3 CDR3 FW4 KATLTVDKSSSTAYMH SYRYLAWFAY WGQGTLVTVSA LNSLTSEDSAVYYCAR (SEQ ID NO: 21) (SEQ ID NO: 28) (SEQ ID NO: 27) V_(L) domains (SEQ ID NO: 18) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 DIVMTQSPLSLPVSLGD RSSQSIVHSNGNTYL WYLQKPGQSPKLLIY TVSNRFS QASISC E (SEQ ID NO: 30) (SEQ ID NO: 23) (SEQ ID NO: 29) (SEQ ID NO: 22) FW3 CDR3 FW4 GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTL FQGSHIPYT FGGGTKLELK RISRVEAEDLGVYYC (SEQ ID NO: 24) (SEQ ID NO: 32) (SEQ ID NO: 31)

TABLE 4 mAb Clone: SP-B1 (IgG1) V_(H) domains (SEQ ID NO: 17) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 EVQLQQSGPELVKPGAS GYAFTSYNMY WVKQSHGKSLE YIDPYNGDTNNNQK VKVSCKAS (SEQ ID NO: 19) WIG FKG (SEQ ID NO: 25) (SEQ ID NO: 26) (SEQ ID NO: 20) FW3 CDR3 FW4 KATLTVDKSSSTAYMH SYRYLAWFAY (SEQ WGQGTLVTVSA LNSLTSEDSAVYYCAR ID NO: 21) (SEQ ID NO: 28) (SEQ ID NO: 27) V_(L) domains (SEQ ID NO: 18) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 DIVMTQSPLSLPVSLGD RSSQSIVHSNGNTYL WYLQKPGQSPKL TVSNRFS QASISC E LIY (SEQ ID NO: 23) (SEQ ID NO: 29) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 30) FW3 CDR3 FW4 GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTL FQGSHIPYT FGGGTKLELK RISRVEAEDLGVYYC (SEQ ID NO: 24) (SEQ ID NO: 32) (SEQ ID NO: 31)

TABLE 5 mAb Clone: SP-B2 (IgG1) V_(H) domains (SEQ ID NO: 33) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 EVQRVESGGGLVKPGG GFTFRNYAMS WVRQTTEKKLE TINDVGSYTYFPASV SLKLSCAAS (SEQ ID NO: 35) WVA KG (SEQ ID NO: 41) (SEQ ID NO: 42) (SEQ ID NO: 36) FW3 CDR3 FW4 RFTVSRDNTKNTLYLQ SSDTVPHHHALDY WGQGSSVTVSS MSSLRSEDTAMYYCVT (SEQ ID NO: 37) (SEQ ID NO: 44) (SEQ ID NO: 43) V_(L) domains (SEQ ID NO: 34) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 DIVMTQPPASLAVSLGQ RASQNVDSRGISFMH WYQQKPGQPPKL AASNLES RATVFC (SEQ ID NO: 38) LW (SEQ ID NO: 39) (SEQ ID NO: 45) (SEQ ID NO: 46) FW3 CDR3 FW4 GIPARFRGSGSGTDFTL QQSVEDLT FGGGTKLELK NIHPVEEEDVATYYC (SEQ ID NO: 40) (SEQ ID NO: 48) (SEQ ID NO: 47)

TABLE 6 mAb Clone: CR-#5 (IgG2b) V_(H) domains (SEQ ID NO: 49) FW1 CDR1 FW2 CDR2 EVQRVESGGDLVKPGG GFTFRNYGMS WVRQTPDKRLE TISSGGVYIYYPDSV TLKLSCAAS (SEQ ID NO: 51) WVA KG (SEQ ID NO: 57) (SEQ ID NO: 58) (SEQ ID NO: 52) FW3 CDR3 FW4 RFTISRDNAKNTLFLQM ARDDYDGRGYFDY WGQGTTLTVSS SSLRSEDSAMYYC (SEQ ID NO: 53) (SEQ ID NO: 60) (SEQ ID NO: 59) V_(L) domains (SEQ ID NO: 50) FW1 CDRQ FW2 CDR2 DIVMSQSPSSLAVSAGE KSSQSLLNSRTRKNY WYQQKPGQSPKL WASTRES KVTMSC LA LIY (SEQ ID NO: 55) (SEQ ID NO: 61) (SEQ ID NO: 54) (SEQ ID NO: 62) FW3 CDR3 EW4 GVPDRFTGSGSGTDFTL KQSYNLPT FGSGTKLDIK TISSVQAEDLAVYYC (SEQ ID NO: 56) (SEQ ID NO: 64) (SEQ ID NO: 63)

In summary, we showed that SCUBE2 but not SCUBE1 or 3 was specifically unregulated by HIF-1α in HUVECs under hypoxia. This unique hypoxic induction of SCUBE2 might explain in part its distinctive role in regulating blood flow recovery after hind-limb ischemia. The involvement of SCUBE2 in angiogenesis was not restricted to the action of VEGF. Further studies are needed to clarify whether SCUBE2 participates in postnatal angiogenesis mediated by sonic hedgehog or VE-cadherin signaling. Here, our data revealed SCUBE2 as a novel VEGFR2 co-receptor that regulates VEGF-induced tube formation and proliferation of ECs by fine-tuning VEGFR2-mediated signaling. SCUBE2 may have clinical importance in the pathogenesis of various angiogenesis-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. In addition to its expression in normal organ ECs, SCUBE2 is also highly expressed in the ECs of numerous types of human carcinomas and xenografted tumors (our unpublished data). Although further studies are required to validate whether endothelial SCUBE2 is involved in tumor angiogenesis, SCUBE2 may be a promising target molecule for cancer therapy because of its anti-angiogenic effect of SCUBE2 inactivation. Pharmacological blockade of endothelial SCUBE2 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for angiogenesis-related disorders. Examples of diseases characterized or caused by abnormal or excessive angiogenesis are listed in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Organ Diseases Numerous Cancer (activation of oncogenes; loss of tumor organs suppressors); infectious diseases (pathogens express angiogenic genes, induce angiogenic programs or transform ECs); autoimmune disorders (activation of mast cells and other leukocytes) Blood Vascular malformations (Tie-e mutation); DiGeorge vessels syndrome (low VEGF and neuropilin-1 expression); HHT (mutations of endoglin or ALK-1; cavernous hemangioma (loss of Cx37 and Cx40); atherosclerosis; transplant arteriopathy. Adipose Obesity (angiogenesis induced by fatty diet: weight loss by tissue angiogenesis inhibitors) Skin Psoriasis, warts, allergic dermatitis, scar keloids, pyogenic granulomas, blistering disease, Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS patients Eye Persistent hyperplastic vitreous syndrome (loss of Ang-2 or VEGF164); diabetic retinopathy; retinopathy of prematurity; choroidal neovascularization (TIMP-3 mutation) Lung Primary pulmonary hypertension (germline BMPR-2 mutation; somatic EC mutations): asthma; nasal polyps Intestines Inflammatory bowel and periodontal disease, ascites, peritoneal adhesions Reproductive Endometriosis, uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts, ovarian system hyperstimulation Bone, Joints Arthritis, synovitis, osteomyelitis, osteophyte formation

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, are cited and discussed in the description of this invention. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present invention and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the invention described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as it each reference was individually incorporated by reference. 

1. An isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or a binding fragment thereof, which comprises an antigen binding region that specifically hinds to a target domain located within SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66) and exhibits a property of inhibiting VEGF-induced angiogenesis, wherein the target domain is selected from the group consisting of the EGF-like motifs 4 to 6 ranging from a.a. position 175 to 323, or the spacer region ranging from a.a. position 441 to 659, or the first cys-rich motif ranging from a.a. position 668 to 725 of SCUBE2 (SEQ ID NO: 66).
 2. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the property of inhibiting VEGF-induced angiogenesis comprises inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, and VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation and capillary tube formation.
 3. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, comprising a heavy chain variable domain (V_(H)) and a light chain variable domain (V_(L)), wherein: (a) the comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18; or (b) the comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; or (c) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or (d) the V_(H) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49, and the V_(L) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 50. 4. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein: (i) the V_(H) comprises a complementarity determining region (CDR) 1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, and CDR3 comprising the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or (ii) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8; or (iii) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; or (iv) the V_(H) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; and the V_(L) comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 56. 5. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, which is a monoclonal antibody.
 6. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, which is humanized.
 7. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim 1, which is selected from the group consisting of a Fv fragment, a fragment antigen-binding (Fab) fragment, a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a Fab′ fragment, a Fd′ fragment, and a Fd fragment, and a single chain antibody variable fragment (scFv).
 8. The isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment of claim 1, which is encapsulated within a liposome.
 9. A fusion protein comprising the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or binding fragment thereof of claim
 1. 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 1; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.
 11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10, wherein: (i) the V_(H) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, and the V_(L) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, or (ii) the V_(H) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody comprises a complementarity determining region (CDR) 1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, and a CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the V_(L) of the anti-SCUBE2 antibody comprises a CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ NO: 22, a CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, and a CDR3 comprising the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 24. 12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the anti-SCUBE2 antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody.
 13. A method for treating a disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis, comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 1 in a subject in need thereof.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the disease that is associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis is at least one selected from the group consisting of tumor, neovascular eye disorder, persistent hyperplastic vitreous syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, choroidal neovascularization, endometriosis, uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts, and ovarian hyperstimulation.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising administering an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF for treating a disease that is associated With VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the subject in need thereof.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 3; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 4; and (ii) a therapeutically of amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 5; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.
 19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 6; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated anti-SCUBE2 antibody or the binding fragment thereof of claim 7; and (ii) a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody specifically against VEGF. 